USASTRATCOM

This blog was created for USASTRATCOM Long Lines Battalion Army personnel who served in Taiwan during the 1965-72 time frame. Specifically, those who lived and worked in and around Taipei are the target. If you worked at the Grass Mountain or Gold Mountain facilities or anywhere in downtown Taipei, we would like to hear from you. All are welcome to visit and contribute to this blog. Your comments and pictures are encouraged.

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

228 Peace Park, Taipei, Taiwan

After WWII, the Japanese government was ordered to relinquish all of its holdings in Taiwan. It's 1945, and the Allies were the victors. Chiang Kai-Shek claimed Taiwan as part of the Republic of China.

The irony of this Peace Park is its genesis. The Kuomintang political party of the ROC had to deal with an uprising beginning February 27, 1947.

There is no need for a history lesson, but, the takeover of Taiwan by the ROC didn't go smoothly. Click this to read about Taiwan and the Kuomintang after WWII.

Click HERE to read the Taiwanese version of its history. For an even more concise version, click this text.

There was no intention of putting a damper on the subject of the 228 Peace Park, but Taiwanese historians would want, I sincerely believe, all visitors and tourists to know its bloody background.

This day is as important to the Taiwanese as our Memorial Day is to us in the US. My friend, VWC will, I'm sure, correct any errors made by me.

With that introduction, let me say that my good friend Kent Mathieu is to be given all the credit for these new 228 Peace Park photos. His walking tour videos and still pictures have helped me tell a strory many times.

Back in 1969, my wife and I had visited this area a few times and had taken several pictures. Since Kent was in Taipei earlier this year, I had asked him to take a few photos so a "then and now" posting could be made.

Below are some old pictures we took, along with the rest of the pictures which were all taken by Kent .

This park was a very serene place back in 1969.

We never went into this building.

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Today, this is the National Taiwan Museum.

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The National Taiwan Museum is the oldest museum in Taiwan. Why the Japanese built it in the Greek Revival style is a mystery.

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Just follow the arrow of your choice.

Here we are.

Here is the park today. The old Longevity Park is at the upper left and the National Taiwan Museum is at the bottom. The picture is from Wikipedia. A band shell, fountain and sculpture are a few of the newer sites within the park.

Me on a bridge near the National Taiwan Museum in 1969

Here is the same bridge today. Kent really did a great job of recreating the angle. Notice the steps that have been added. Sorry, rollerbladers

A pagoda and pavilion in 1969

Again, a great duplication by Kent in 2012

These two railroad engines were covered from above, but were otherwise exposed to the elements.

Glass surrounds the new enclosure.

At the opposite end are two signs explaining the history of the two locomotives.